Mob Wives' Brittany Fogarty 'Heartbroken' Over Big Ang's Death: 'She Is an Inspiration to Us All'

Her wifey for life. Mob Wives star Brittany Fogarty released an exclusive statement to Us Weekly hours after Big Ang died at age 55 from stage IV cancer on Thursday, February 18.

"I am truly heartbroken over the loss of Angela," Fogarty tells Us of the reality star (née Angela Raiola). "She was a beautiful woman with an even more beautiful soul. She had a personality that was larger than life. Ang welcomed me with open arms from the moment I met her and for that I will be forever grateful. She was always there for me when I needed someone to talk to and to support me."

"She was a true warrior and carried herself with dignity and courage. Even through the hardest battle of her life she stayed strong and remained positive," she recalls of her late costar. "She is an inspiration to us all and there is a lot to be learned from the woman she was. Someone who always saw the bright side of things and could light up a room simply by being herself. She was one of the funniest and most loving people I have ever met and I am blessed to have called her my friend."

Fogarty, a model who's walked in shows for designers like Michael Costello, joined the cast of VH1's smash series in January 2016.

"Angela’s family was always her No. 1 priority, she would brag about her children and grandchildren wherever she went, showing everyone pictures of them," Fogarty continues in her statement to Us. "I am praying for her family during this time. She touched the lives of so many people, she will never be forgotten and she will always be missed. I love you, Angela."

Brittany Fogarty celebrates her 25th birthday at the Leonora on December 5, 2015.Brent N. Clarke/Getty Images

On Thursday morning, Fogarty also took to Instagram to post a photo with the late reality star. "Love you," she wrote.

Big Ang's friend Vinnie Medugno confirmed the news of her death in the early hours of Thursday, February 18. "She was surrounded by nothing but love from her immediate family, and closest friends," Medugno tweeted on her account. "YOU, (Her fans) were some of the most special people in [the] world, and she loved you immensely."

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